DOJ's $56.7K contract for prison baking supplies awarded to East Baking Company, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,714 ($56.7K)

Contractor: East Baking Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 89 days

Daily Burn Rate: $637/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 29

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OATS-FCI JES - FY26 Q2-SUBSISTENCE-EAST BAKING SMALL BUSINESS

Place of Performance

Location: JESUP, WAYNE County, GEORGIA, 31599

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $56,713.8 to EAST BAKING COMPANY, INC. for work described as: OATS-FCI JES - FY26 Q2-SUBSISTENCE-EAST BAKING SMALL BUSINESS Key points: 1. Contract value represents a small portion of overall federal food procurement. 2. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a focus on smaller value purchases. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. Short duration of 89 days points to an immediate or short-term need. 5. Limited competition is implied by SAP, potentially impacting price optimization. 6. Geographic focus on Georgia for this specific supply need.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $56,713.80 for baking supplies is relatively small in the context of federal food procurement. Without specific benchmarks for prison baking supplies, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline procurement for lower-value items, which can sometimes lead to less competitive pricing compared to larger, full-and-open competitions. The firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves fewer bidders than full-and-open competition. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP is designed for purchases below a certain threshold, often resulting in a more limited pool of interested parties. This can streamline the process but may not always yield the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can mean potentially higher prices than if the contract were widely advertised. However, the small contract value may mitigate significant financial impact.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will receive baked goods produced using these supplies. The Bureau of Prisons will maintain its food service operations in Georgia. Supports the operational needs of correctional facilities in the specified region. Indirectly supports the food manufacturing sector through the purchase of ingredients and supplies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher costs due to limited competition under SAP.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess efficiency.
Short contract duration may not allow for long-term supplier relationship building.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
SAP is designed for efficient procurement of lower-value items.
Awarded to a specific company, East Baking Company, Inc., indicating a known supplier.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader food manufacturing and distribution sector, specifically serving institutional needs. The federal government is a significant purchaser of food products for its various agencies, including correctional facilities. The market for institutional food supply is competitive, with many vendors vying for government contracts. This particular award is a small component of the overall federal spending on subsistence.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While East Baking Company, Inc. may be a small business, the procurement method (SAP) does not inherently guarantee small business participation or subcontracting opportunities. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting goals were applicable or met.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Prison System's procurement and operational management within the Department of Justice. The use of purchase orders under SAP generally involves internal agency controls and review processes. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance monitoring specifics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Department of Justice Procurement
Federal Food Procurement
Institutional Food Supply Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition potential
Short contract duration may indicate urgent need or pilot program
Lack of detailed performance data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $56,713.8 to EAST BAKING COMPANY, INC.. OATS-FCI JES - FY26 Q2-SUBSISTENCE-EAST BAKING SMALL BUSINESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EAST BAKING COMPANY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $56,713.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the track record of East Baking Company, Inc. with federal contracts?

Information regarding East Baking Company, Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past awards, performance evaluations, and any history of contract disputes or issues. Without this external data, it's impossible to assess their reliability or past performance in detail. However, being awarded this contract suggests they met the basic requirements for this specific procurement.

How does the price of these baking supplies compare to similar federal contracts?

A direct price comparison for these specific baking supplies is difficult without more granular data on the exact items purchased and their quantities. The total award amount of $56,713.80 is for a 3-month period. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable contracts for similar food items procured by other federal agencies or correctional facilities, ideally with similar delivery locations and timeframes. The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) might also suggest a price point that is less optimized than larger, more competitive bids.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential supply chain disruptions affecting the delivery of baking ingredients, quality control issues with the supplied goods, and the risk of price increases in future solicitations due to limited competition. Given the short duration, there's also a risk of inconsistent supply if the contractor faces unforeseen operational challenges. The firm fixed price mitigates cost overrun risk for the government on this specific award, but doesn't address potential quality or availability risks.

How effective is this contract in meeting the Bureau of Prisons' needs?

The effectiveness of this contract is primarily measured by the timely and adequate supply of baking ingredients to the Federal Prison System facilities in Georgia. As a short-term purchase order under SAP, it likely addresses an immediate or recurring need. Its effectiveness hinges on the contractor's ability to deliver the specified goods on time and to the required quality standards. Without performance metrics or feedback, a definitive assessment of effectiveness beyond basic fulfillment is not possible from the provided data.

What are the historical spending patterns for baking supplies by the Federal Prison System?

Historical spending patterns for baking supplies by the Federal Prison System are not detailed in the provided data. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards for similar goods over several fiscal years, looking at total amounts spent, average contract values, number of awards, and the types of competition used. This would reveal trends in procurement volume, pricing, and supplier engagement. The current award of $56,713.80 for a 3-month period provides a snapshot but lacks historical context.

What is the significance of the contract type (Firm Fixed Price) for this procurement?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is significant because it establishes a ceiling price that the contractor must adhere to, regardless of their actual costs. For the government, this offers cost certainty and predictability, making budgeting easier. It places the risk of cost overruns on the contractor. For a relatively straightforward procurement like baking supplies, FFP is a common and appropriate choice, assuming the scope of work is well-defined and risks are manageable by the contractor.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Food Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 29

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 104 WHITING FARMS RD, HOLYOKE, MA, 01040

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $56,714

Exercised Options: $56,714

Current Obligation: $56,714

Actual Outlays: $34,129

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline